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31 Dec 2012

Clockwise from top left: Erin Dilly, John Bolton, Johnny Rabe and Zac Ballard

Photo by Carol Rosegg

A Christmas Story, The Musical, which ended its Broadway run Dec. 30, broke the box office record at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre for the second time during the lucrative holiday season.

In the week leading up to Christmas, the new musical outgrossed the previous Lunt-Fontanne record holder The Addams Family, taking in $1,491,488. A Christmas Story broke its own record the week ending Dec. 30, with a total of $1,558,922 in grosses.

Featuring a score by Richard Rodgers Award-winning Dogfight songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a book by Joseph Robinette, A Christmas Story, The Musical began previews Nov. 7. Critics warmly embraced the musical that opened Nov. 17, singling out the work of the promising songwriting duo of Pasek and Paul.

Young actor Johnny Rabe makes his Broadway debut in the central role of Ralphie, the youngster who pines away for an "Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!" Peter Billingsley, who originated the role in the 1983 film, is among the producers of the musical. At certain performances, Joe West plays the role of Ralphie.

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The cast also features Dan Lauria (Lombardi, "The Wonder Years") as Jean Shepherd, with John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic) as The Old Man, Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother, Zac Ballard as little brother Randy, Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, "Moulin Rouge") as school teacher Miss Shields and Eddie Korbich (The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone, Wicked) as Santa Claus.

According to producers, "In 1940's Indiana, a bespectacled boy named Ralphie has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas—a Red Ryder BB Gun. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a cranky department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream. A Christmas Story, The Musical is holiday entertainment that captures a simpler time in America with delicious wit and a heart of gold."